The Nautilus Middle School girls’ swim team was first of seven teams and the boys’ team second of nine teams during the Miami-Dade County Middle School Championships at Tamiami Pool. The champs are Oriana Reta, Chloe Gonzalez, Camila Gomez, Stephanie Deybach, Juliet Pizano, Kassandra Vega, Luciana Di Donna, and Nathalie Mesones. The runners-up are Alexander Deybach, Guillermo Deza, Sebastian Henao, and Jaime Fernandez. Their coach is Eric Marshall.

The Nautilus Middle School girls’ swim team was first of seven teams and the boys’ team second of nine teams during the Miami-Dade County Middle School Championships at Tamiami Pool. The champs are Oriana Reta, Chloe Gonzalez, Camila Gomez, Stephanie Deybach, Juliet Pizano, Kassandra Vega, Luciana Di Donna, and Nathalie Mesones. The runners-up are Alexander Deybach, Guillermo Deza, Sebastian Henao, and Jaime Fernandez. Their coach is Eric Marshall.

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St. Brendan swimming

Two St. Brendan High School students competed in the Class 2A swim meet in Stuart.

During the preliminary heat in the morning, freshman Chantel Peiter swam the 50- and 100-yard freestyle races, finishing ninth and 22nd, respectively. She qualified for the finals in the 50 freestyle.

Senior Zuhayr Pigot swam the 50-yard freestyle and the 100-yard butterfly, finishing second and first, respectively. He qualified for the finals in both.

In the evening during the finals, Chantel placed 10th overall in the 50 freestyle. Zuhayr won the state championship in the 50 freestyle and was runner-up in the 100 butterfly.

Zuhayr was the overall fastest male swimmer in the 50 freestyle in the four classes (4A, 3A, 2A, 1A). In the fall, he will attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on a swimming scholarship.

Greater Miami Pop Warner scholar athletes

Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez recognized 150 youths who were named this year’s “Pop Warner Scholastic Achievers” during a special half-time presentation at the annual “Sean Taylor Football Classic” at North Miami Athletic Stadium.

Mayor Gimenez also recognized Pop Warner for 42 years of service to boys and girls participating in football and cheerleading at parks throughout Miami-Dade County.

The annual “Sean Taylor Football Classic” serves as the “Super Bowl” Championship for the Greater Miami South Florida Pop Warner League. Teams participating in the Sean Taylor Classic had the best regular season records and won each of their playoff games.

“Pop Warner Scholastic Achievers” are awarded to Pop Warner league cheerleaders and football players with a GPA of 96 and above.

“The Mayor’s Youth Sports Championship series encourages youth participation in sports, as a valuable tool in developing essential life-skills, such as sportsmanship, teamwork, responsibility, and discipline, which are the core ingredients for successful living,” said Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez. “Youth sporting events, such as the Sean Taylor Football Classic are helping Miami-Dade youth to enhance their athletic abilities and lives through sports.”

About the Greater Miami South Florida Pop Warner League:

The Greater Miami South Florida Pop Warner League was chartered by Pop Warner Little Scholars, Incorporated in 1972, as the governing body of its eight associated member parks in Miami-Dade County. The GMSFPWL currently has grown to 24 member programs run by optimist clubs, youth activity associations, and city park and recreation departments. These member associations each run their own programs under both the national and local Pop Warner rules.

Pop Warner is the only national youth sports program which requires its participants to maintain a level of academic achievement in order to participate. The mission of GMSFPWL is to enable local children to benefit from participation in team sports and activities in a structured and safe environment. Through our associations, pop warner programs instill the fundamental values of teamwork, dedication and a positive work ethic both on and off the field of play.

Led by President Craig McQueen, GMSFPWL is an all-volunteer, 501c(3) nonprofit organization that provides an organized tackle football and cheerleading program for more than 5,000 children, age 5-15, in Miami-Dade and Broward counties.

About the Youth Sports Championship Series:

The Youth Sports Championship Series, featuring the newly coveted Miami-Dade County Mayor’s Cup, is the vision of Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez who as a father, grandfather and volunteer youth sports coach believes in the values and benefits children derive from participating in organized sports.

Awarded the 2014 National Association of Counties Achievement Award, The Mayor’s Youth Sports Championship Series aims to build and support a strong foundation of organized sports throughout Miami-Dade County through a series of sport championships coordinated by Miami-Dade PROS and the local governing body of the individual youth sport. Champions will be crowned in 10 sports at 15 events, predominantly at Miami-Dade County owned parks and facilities.

Winners of championships in tennis, track and field, basketball, baseball, flag football, golf, swimming, cross country, cheer and dance, and soccer, will be crowned with the Mayor’s Cup.

To request material in accessible format, information on access for persons with disabilities or sign language interpreter services (seven days in advance), call 305-755-7848.

Central football

Da’Vante Phillips, a senior football player from Miami Central High School, was presented his honorary game jersey at the American Family Insurance Selection Tour for the 2015 Under Armour All-America High School Football Game. The event was part of the three-month American Family Insurance Selection Tour for the 2015 Under Armour All-America Game.

Phillips is one of 90 players selected to compete in the eighth-annual Under Armour All-America Game presented by American Family Insurance, a nationally televised competition spotlighting the country’s top high school seniors. The 2015 Under Armour All-America Game is Friday, Jan. 2 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg and will be televised live on ESPN2.

“The aspect I'm looking forward to the most in the Under Armour game is just the competition and fun. Just having a great time and having your last time out playing high school ball before college,” Phillips said.

The national American Family Insurance Selection Tour recognizes these top players as they follow their dreams on the gridiron and provides opportunities for competition, learning and personal development that will benefit them both on and off the field.

“As protectors of dreams, American Family is pleased to salute these student athletes as they pursue their dreams with the encouragement of the coaches, family and friends who support them,” said Myles Romero, American Family Insurance brand and consumer marketing associate vice president. “These high school athletes are an inspiration to all of us with their hard work, dedication and persistence, qualities that are important not just in athletics, but life.”

Kendall Hammocks football

The Kendall Hammocks Warriors 100s finished their season capturing the Miami Xtreme Youth Football League Turkey Bowl with a 19-7 victory over the Naples Pirates from the SWFYFL.

The Warriors (10-2) were led by Keylon Leno who rushed for 89 yards and one touchdown. Sebastian Borges scored on a 40-yard run, and quarterback Bryan Jacobson threw a touchdown pass to Dylan Puentes. Trend Damon anchored a strong defense.

Miami Pace basketball

A basketball team scoring more than 90 points is a common occurrence in an NBA game but rare in a high school basketball game.

The Monsignor Edward Pace High School boys’ varsity basketball team has been doing just that, including a 96-71 win over Edison and a 91-86 win over Booker T Washington.

The high-scoring Spartans basketball team is currently 3-0 in regular season play. In the pre-season Tip-Off Classic, Pace beat the Christopher

Columbus Explorers 85-83 and defeated the Keys Gate Knights 79-29.

The Spartans opened their regular season with an 82-36 rout of the MAST Academy Makos.

“Our style of play is so unique to what most people do,” said Pace coach Anthony Serro. “We want every possession both offensively and defensively to be less than 12 seconds.”

He says that the team aims to shoot around 80 shots per game, with half of those being 3-point attempts. The relentless, fast style has been paying off as the team is coming off of a 20-win season where they averaged 84 points a game, the highest in Florida and 11th highest in the nation. They also won the District 15 championship and were Region 4A finalists, which helped lead to Serro being named the Miami Herald Class 4A-2A Boys’ Basketball Coach of the Year.

One of the team’s key players is senior CJ Fisher, who recently signed a letter of intent to play for the NCAA Division I University of North Florida. Fisher averaged 34 points a game last year and scored an astounding 44 points in the team’s win against Columbus.

Fisher is far from being the only high scorer on the team, as junior Sebastien Jean is another player who consistently scores in double digits. Juniors Armand del Castillo and Phil Brunson scored 16 and 11 points, respectively, in the win over Edison.

Pace’s depth come from another unique coaching decision, as Serro prefers to dress and use all 15 of his players every game, while most teams only use seven to eight players per game.

The school has worked at attracting middle school basketball players to the Pace gym by hosting its second annual Catholic Middle School Basketball Tournament with six schools participating. Cushman School beat St. Mary Cathedral School in the finals.

Our Lady of Lakes basketball

The Our Lady of the Lakes varsity boys’ and girls’ basketball teams are at the top of the All Catholic Conference North Division.

The girls’ team (5-2) defeated Immaculate Conception 24-8, dominating in the first half defensively by allowing two points. The Cheetahs were led by Maylizze Santos (seventh grade) with eight points and four blocked shots, and Kyamara Montero (seventh grade) with six points and four steals.

The boys’ team (5-0) also beat Immaculate Conception 42-22. The Cheetahs started strong building a 33-7 lead by halftime. They were led by Ulises Hernandez III (eighth grade) who had 17 points, five steals and three assists.

Westwood Christian basketball

The Westwood Christian School boys’ varsity basketball team beat Lake Mary High School 48-42 during the annual Big House Classic in Tavares, Fla.

Upper School Boys: Agustin Popiloff of the boys’ varsity soccer team scored twice, once in a 1-1 tie with LaSalle and once in a 2-1 win against Int’l. Studies.

Scheck Hillel sports

Scheck Hillel Community School named Tali Zighelboim as the Student-Athlete of the Week.

Zighelboim is a leader for the Lions’ girls’ varsity soccer team. The senior captain, is a defensive standout. Her ball control is outstanding, and she isn’t afraid to put her head on the ball.

Tennis

Hundreds of football fans tried their hands at tennis on mini-courts prior to the Miami Dolphins win over the San Diego Chargers at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens.

Football jerseys and cooler weather were part of the event, hosted by USTA Florida’s Hispanic outreach initiative, Tenis para Todos, which featured mini-tennis courts inside the Joe Robbie Tailgating section of Sun Life Stadium.

USTA Florida's Tenis para Todos initiative was launched in 2013, and since then has brought events and facility programming to Hispanic communities throughout Central and South Florida, with nine facilities in Miami-Dade, Broward, Indian River, Osceola, Orange and Hillsborough counties.

From 9 a.m.-noon, more than 800 children and adults stopped by the USTA Florida table to receive free gifts, information about local play opportunities and USTA programs for all ages. Many of the attendees played tennis for the first time, hitting with friends and kids using the kid-friendly Youth Tennis format, featuring smaller racquets and slower, lower-bouncing balls.

“This was the second year of USTA Florida’s presence at a Miami Dolphins game and a great event to showcase tennis to hundreds of people, many for the first time,” said USTA Florida Diversity & Marketing Coordinator Maria Romo-Jackson. “Tenis para Todos will continue to bring play opportunities and events in Central and South Florida, inviting Hispanic communities throughout the state to enjoy the wonderful sport of tennis.”

The event at the Joe Robbie Tailgating entrance offered six courts with the USTA’s Youth Tennis format, using racquets, balls and courts that are sized right for kids so that they enjoy the game from the start. Winners of game tickets at previous Tenis para Todos events joined the activities, with USTA Florida volunteers, staff and social media contest winners sitting in the same section of the stadium to enjoy the game afterward.

For event or program information, visit the Tenis para Todos website at

Orange Bowl shoe drive

The Orange Bowl announced the launch of its annual Kicks For Kids Program, in partnership with In Jacob’s Shoes, a local charity that provides new and gently used shoes, school supplies and athletic shoes and equipment to economically disadvantaged youth.

The organization will once again challenge schools in Miami-Dade and Broward counties to collect shoes. In addition, the Orange Bowl is partnering with Baptist Health South Florida to use its facilities as community collection sites. Anyone can drop off a pair of new or gently used athletic shoes in the Kicks For Kids boxes at participating Miami-Dade or Broward County Baptist Health Urgent Care Centers or Baptist Health Medical Plazas. TD Bank is also an associate sponsor of this year’s Kicks for Kids Program.

The Orange Bowl and Baptist Health are hosting a photo challenge, where people can post pictures of themselves donating shoes at the Baptist Health collection sites for a chance to win a VIP experience for two at the 2014 MetroPCS Orange Bowl Basketball Classic featuring game tickets and behind-the-scenes access. To participate, donors are encouraged to use the hastag #Kicks4KidsChallenge tagging @BaptistHealthSF on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and, nominate their family and friends to take the challenge.

For the school challenge, six schools – three schools from Miami-Dade and three from Broward County – will have the opportunity to win up to $1,500. Participating schools from across both counties are asked to collect new or gently used athletic shoes and cleats throughout the month of November. The top collectors from Miami-Dade and Broward counties will each receive a $1,500 grant from the Orange Bowl, with the second and third finishers receiving $1,000 and $500, respectively.

Last year, the Orange Bowl collected more than 4,000 shoes, the majority from the School Challenge. This year, the Orange Bowl’s goal is to collect 5,000 pairs for South Florida youth.

“The South Florida community’s response to the Orange Bowl’s Kicks for Kids program has been very gratifying,” said Orange Bowl CEO Eric Poms. “Because of their contributions, we have exceeded our own goals in each of the first three years. We can’t wait to see the results of this year’s challenge.”

In Jacob’s Shoes is a 501(c)3 Charity and was formed in 2009 in loving memory of Jacob S. Zweig. In Jacob’s Shoes provides new and gently used shoes, school supplies and athletic gear to children in need as well as grants for camp, athletic and enrichment programs.

Since inception, In Jacob’s Shoes has served more than 80 agencies, schools and shelters and provided 23,000+ pairs of shoes and 2,500 backpacks with school supplies for children living in shelters, foster care and poverty in Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties.

NFL Football Matters

The National Football Foundation announced the launch of FootballMatters.org, a powerful new addition to the organization’s campaign to highlight the good in the game and the lifelong benefits to those who play it.

“Football makes a positive impact on so many levels, and we realized that we needed a centralized resource for capturing and subsequently promoting all the great football stories out there,” said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. “FootballMatters.org provides us a potent platform for addressing that void and delivering compelling content directly to audiences who can help us amplify our messages about the value of football in producing leaders and creating educational opportunities.”

NFF Chairman Archie Manning added: “It’s just gratifying to be part of something that does so much good for our young people. The stories are out there, including the thousands of young kids who could not have gone to college but got some aid because of football, and their lives have been changed for the better. FootballMatters.org will enable us to directly capture those stories and inspire the next generation to further their educations.”

The NFF has linked with Arkleus Broadcasting, a Dallas-based full-service media company, to create the platform, which also encompasses a strong social media component to gain traction for the campaign.

“Arkleus is honored and thrilled to be chosen by such a prestigious American institution as the NFF to build and market an exciting new sports media property,” said Arkleus Broadcasting President Joe Shults. “We are passionately committed to helping the NFF in every way to protect, enhance, and ensure the future of football for generations to come.”

The site focuses on stories, videos, and franchises highlighting the very best in high school and college football, such as: Football Moms, Special Teams, Hook & Corporate Ladder, Man-to-Man, the Quote of the Day and many more. The site will also be the home to exclusive profiles of Campbell Trophy finalists, Leadership Award Winners, Courage Award Winners and all the honors associated with the NFF.

“We are really excited about the Football Matters initiative,” said Hatchell. “I want to thank everybody at Arkleus for their passion for the project. They have done a marvelous job of getting it up and running in a short amount of time, and we have already received great feedback.”

The site focuses on the stories that evoke the qualities of leadership, sportsmanship, competitive zeal, character building and the drive for academic excellence that exemplifies many of the young men who play football and the families who support them.

You can learn more about the site and watch a video featuring NFF Chairman Archie Manning and NFF Board Members Jack Ford, Archie Griffin, Kevin Plank and Rod West by clicking here.

Football

The FBU National Championship kicked off Dec. 6 at 16 venues across America, with the winners advancing to round 2.

The structure of the Football University National Championship is a combination of the Little League World Series and the NCAA March Madness. The single-elimination tournament, features 192-region-based teams (64-teams in each age bracket – 6th, 7th and 8th grade) comprised of the top 30 all-star athletes from their area who had to try out to earn a roster spot.

The first four rounds will occur at regional sites, with the semifinals and championship weekend Dec. 20-21 in Naples for the final four teams in each age bracket.

Miami-Dade County youth athletes have been given the extraordinary honor of participating in the tournament beginning Dec. 6. Sixth graders, seventh graders, and eighth graders were selected to play for the FBU Miami-Dade County Team in each of their grade levels. Each team, comprised of top football players from through the county, will be competing in full contact football games with the ultimate goal of advancing to the championship in Naples.

The Miami-Dade County team, led by State Director Damian Sosa, will begin the tournament on Dec. 6 in West Palm Beach.

This year’s tournament marks the fourth year of the biggest youth football event to date, with 192 teams nationwide, including more than 250 games, 6,000 athletes and 1,200 coaches. The tournament will showcase 250 games through a three-week period, resulting in more than 1,000 hours of play.

Former tight end Troy Drayton played nine seasons in the NFL, including 1996-99 with the Miami Dolphins, and he is the Dolphins’ youth program coordinator.

Drayton added a new title to his résumé — NAmbassador for Heads Up Football.

The Nand USA Football jointly announced the national launch of Heads Up Football, a youth football program aimed at making football better and safer for all who play it. The program is being supported with a $1.5 million grant from the NFoundation.

Three million kids already play tackle football, and the game can be even safer. Heads Up Football includes a tackling model that removes the head from the game.

Heads Up Football has five core elements: The use of the Heads Up Tackling model; coaching certification; Player Safety Coaches; concussion education; and proper equipment-fitting.

The program was launched in three test markets last year. This year, it expanded to more than 600 youth leagues in 50 states. Of these leagues, 100 were assigned a former Nplayer mentor. Drayton served as a mentor to a local Heads Up League — the Tamiami Colts of the Miami Xtreme Youth Football League.

Florida Christian lacrosse

Florida Christian School Athletic Director Ed Riggan, announced that FCS Athletics will offer lacrosse at the JV level for the spring of the 2014-15 school year. For information call 305-226-8152 or visit www.floridachristian.org.

ThunderPlex

Thunder Athletixand Brain Gymnasium LLC teamed to offer a complete fitness program of body and mind at the new ThunderPlex, 1440 NW 82 Ave. in Doral.

Students can improve their basketball skills and physical fitness, as well as strengthen their academic skills through specialized tutoring programs. They can have fun and finish their homework.

The mission is to teach the principles, fundamentals and basic skills of the game to children age 5-17.

The Miami Lady Express girls’ basketball team needs funding to continue competing in tournaments throughout the United States. The coaches volunteered to train the girls, giving them something positive to do, and the parents have been raising funds.

Travel costs, food, tournament fees and lodging are very expensive for these girls. They practice at the Keys Gate Gym in Florida City and South Dade High School, where their coaches teach. Contact Coach Larry Hicks at 786-301-2577.

Tennis

USTA Florida and the USTA Florida Section Foundation announced a landmark three-way agreement with Special Olympics Florida to provide more tennis playing opportunities to athletes in Florida.

The formal agreement builds on the existing support that USTA Florida and its charitable arm have provided to local Special Olympics programs by offering free 10 and Under Tennis workshops, grants and other resources to providers that offer tennis programs to Special Olympics athletes.

Likewise, Special Olympics Florida will encourage their athletes to participate in USTA Florida programs and events.

To get a program started, Special Olympics coaches may apply for a USTA Florida Section Foundation equipment grant for adaptive tennis equipment and other program needs by contacting Jessica Flynn at Special Olympics Florida.

The Miami Marlins offer behind-the-scenes tours of Marlins Park. The tours are open to the public on non-event days for $10 per person.

The tour includes visits to the field (behind home plate), home clubhouse, home batting cage area and Diamond Club, Promenade Level featuring the art in the facility, the bobblehead museum and the premium areas, including the suites.

Tours operate from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday, except when the Marlins play at home or when other major events are scheduled at Marlins Park. Group tours of 10 to 25 people are available by appointment.

For more information, fans can call 1-877-MARLINS or e-mail tours@marlins.com. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket windows on Felo Ramirez Drive (Northwest Sixth Street between 14th and 15th avenues) and are for the time and date specified.

Hall Of Fame Coach Rich Hofman and his staff will coach the teams, which will practice and play in tournaments and leagues. Register for a tryout at www.hofball.net or call David Hofman at 954-804-5600 or Ed Tisdale at 803-463-2591.

Headed by Soccer 5’s Director of Coaching Development Alan Georgeson, who has more than 15 years of experience in Europe in mini/small-sided soccer, kids 3 to 12 years old will learn the history of mini soccer, the basics of how to play, reasons why mini soccer is the preferred form of soccer for kids, youth and even adults, and will have the opportunity to play in “3v3” to “7v7” matches.

The three locations make mini/small-sided soccer available across the county, providing a greater opportunity for children and families to access the proper 4G turf game fields specifically designed for “5v5,” “6v6” and “7v7” games.

With smaller fields, mini soccer is much easier for young children or children who have never played. In addition, mini soccer is designed for competition among teams with fewer players, providing more opportunity for pick-up games, as well as more opportunity to play the ball making mini soccer popular with older players, too.

The volleyball club, a member of the United States Volleyball Association, is under the direction of Mandi Tate, Dee Rey and former Barry University player Kelly Dantas. They are former coaches with South Florida Volleyball Club and currently coach at the Alonzo & Tracy Mourning Senior High School Biscayne Bay Campus.

Rebelle Athletics is dedicated to providing developmental and participatory athletic sports programs beginning at the youth development level. It offers a progression of sports activities for persons of all ages, races and creeds. It strives to enhance the physical, mental and moral development of amateur athletes at all levels, promoting sportsmanship and active citizenship.

Who said you have to be a male to play jai-alai? Just as females play the sport in Spain, France and Mexico, women can play it in South Florida at the amateur indoor, air-conditioned fronton at 1935 NE 150 St., North Miami, near FIU’s North Campus.

There are also leagues for males and children. Rubber or plastic balls are used with free lessons by former pros. Cestas and balls are also provided free with a nominal court fee. Open every day. Email admanUSA@aol.com or call Brucio 786-629-5428. The American Amateur Jai-Alai Academy is a not-for-profit organization.

Miami-Dade Parks welcomes children with disabilities in its youth leagues. If you need accommodations to participate, call 305-735-7847 (V/TDD).

Be honored at Miami Heat game

The Miami Herald and the three-time world champion Miami Heat in partnership with Gatorade are sponsoring the Academic/Sportsmanship Team Player spotlight in Sunday’s youth sports pages in the Neighbors Sunday print section of the Miami Herald and online at http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/youth-sports/.

Youth league coaches, team reps, school coaches, administrators, teachers or family members can nominate any South Florida recreational, travel league, elementary school, middle school or junior varsity basketball player from fall, winter, spring or summer seasons who displays sportsmanship and good grades or shows improvement in the classroom.

Include school, grade level and grades or interim report. Each selected academic team player will receive a certificate of achievement, a Heat gift pack, two Heat tickets and will be recognized on the court. Plan accordingly as there are three designated ceremony dates during the regular season, and no make-up dates.

To nominate a Team Player, e-mail (Jim) jvarsallone@miamiherald.com or call 954-538-7153. Winners will be selected by random drawing from nominees who meet the above requirements.

Be sure to include a contact telephone number and complete mailing address in your correspondence and mail or e-mail a photograph to us. For Heat ticket information, call 786-777-HEAT and log on to HEAT.com.

Submit athlete or team news to Sports Scene

Sports Scene spotlights news and notes from youth sports and adult league activities with the aim to feature game notes and the accomplishments of athletes from Miami-Dade County.

We rely on league directors and coaches, as well as community members, parents and schools to submit information. We accept photos but ask that everyone pictured be identified with a first and last name and the name of the team or park they represent.

All sports are welcome as long as the team, individual or league is Miami-based.